EIN Lookup: How To Find Your EIN Number (2026 Guide)

Someone just asked for your EIN, and you're staring at the screen thinking, "What even is that?" If you're new to running a business or just started freelancing, an EIN lookup might sound intimidating. It's actually not.

An Employer Identification Number is just a simple ID that the IRS gives your business, and finding yours is easier than you think.

Whether you need your EIN for a paystub generator or a bank application, this guide walks you through every method to find your own number. You'll also learn how to search for another company's EIN and understand what this ID actually means.

Key Takeaways

• An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit number from the IRS that identifies your business for tax purposes
• The fastest way to find your EIN is to check your IRS confirmation letter (called a CP 575)
• If you lost your EIN, call the IRS Business Tax Line at (800) 829-4933 (Mon-Fri, 7 am-7 pm)
• To look up another company's EIN, use SEC EDGAR for public companies or the IRS Tax Exempt search for nonprofits
• Your EIN is permanent. You can't cancel it, but you can close your business account

What Is an EIN? (The Basics of Your EIN Lookup)

An employer identification number (EIN) is a unique 9-digit number the IRS assigns to businesses for tax purposes. Think of it like a Social Security number, but for your business. The format is XX-XXXXXXX. You apply for one using Form SS-4, and most businesses, LLCs, and nonprofits need one.

In a simple version, your Social Security number identifies you as a person. Your EIN, also called a federal tax ID or business tax ID number, identifies your business. On official IRS forms, you'll see it written as an employer identification number (EIN).

One thing that trips people up: "employee identification number" and "employer identification number" sound almost the same, but they're completely different. Your EIN is the employer version, the one the IRS cares about. An EIN tax ID is just another name for the same number.

How To Find Your Own EIN Number

If you're wondering "How do I find my EIN number?" or "How to find my EIN number," you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions new business owners ask. The good news is that there are several places to look, and at least one will work for you.

Here's how to find EIN number step by step. Whether you're asking "How to look up EIN number" or "Where do I find my EIN number," these methods cover you.

1. Check Your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575)

When you first applied for your EIN, the IRS sent you a confirmation letter called a CP-575. If you applied online, you got a PDF instantly. If by mail, it arrived within four weeks.

This letter is your golden ticket. If you still have it, your EIN is right there on page one. Keep it somewhere safe, like a fireproof folder or a secure cloud drive.

2. Check Your Old Tax Returns

Your EIN appears on every business tax return you've ever filed. Here's exactly where to find EIN number on each form:

• Schedule C (Form 1040): Box D
• Form 1065 (Partnership): Page 1, Box D
• Form 1120 (Corporation): Page 1, Box B
• Form 1120-S (S Corp): Page 1, Box D
• Form W-2: Box B (if you have employees)

3. Look Through Business Documents

Your EIN also shows up on bank account paperwork, loan applications, business licenses, and state registration filings. Check anywhere you've had to provide business information. Even old IRS letters (any notice, not just the CP-575) will include your EIN.

Pro Tip: Keep Your EIN Safe

If you're asking "What is my EIN number?" and need it fast, start with your CP-575 or tax returns. Once you locate it, store a digital copy in encrypted cloud storage and keep a physical copy with your business formation documents. Share it with your accountant or bookkeeper. This prevents the "Where can I find my EIN number?" scramble next time.

How To Find Your EIN Number Without a W-2

If you don't have a W-2, you can still find your EIN. Check your IRS confirmation letter (CP-575), old tax returns (Schedule C Box D, Form 1065 Box D), business bank statements, or state registration filings. As a last resort, call the IRS at (800) 829-4933 during business hours.

Many people search for "How to find employer identification number without W2", and the answer is simple. A W-2 is just one of many documents that show your EIN. If you need to understand what a W-2 form covers, our full guide explains it.

If you need to know how to find employer identification number through other methods, all the options above work. Try your confirmation letter, old tax returns, bank statements, and state filings. If none of those work, the IRS can tell you over the phone.

Official IRS Channels for Your EIN Lookup

When other methods fail, the IRS has your back. Here's how to do a federal employer identification number lookup directly through official channels.

1. Call the IRS Business Tax Line

Call (800) 829-4933, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm local time. Before you call, have these ready:

• Your Social Security number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number
• Your business's legal name
• Your business address
• Your date of birth

If you're not the person listed on the original EIN application, you'll need written authorization (Form 8821 or Form 2848). Call early morning or mid-week to avoid long hold times.

2. Request a Form 147C (Verification Letter)

A Form 147C is different from your original CP-575. It's a replacement verification letter. Call the same number to request one. By fax, you get it immediately. By mail, expect it in 7 to 14 business days.

Quick note: The IRS online EIN application at irs.gov is available Monday through Friday, 7 am to 10 pm ET. It's not 24/7, but if you need a brand-new EIN, that's the fastest way to get one.

How To Look Up Another Company's EIN Number

To look up another company's EIN, use free tools like SEC EDGAR (sec.gov/edgar) for public companies or the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (apps.irs.gov/app/eos/) for nonprofits. You can also check state Secretary of State databases, ask the company's accounting department directly, or review any W-2s they issued you.

1. Reverse EIN Lookup: What It Means

A reverse EIN lookup means you're searching by company name to find their EIN, rather than searching for your own number. There's no single government tool for this approach, but several free options cover most cases.

2. Free EIN Lookup Tools

If you need to look up an EIN number for a specific company, these free tools help. For public companies, search SEC EDGAR and check their Form 10-K or Form 10-Q filings.

For nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations, the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search shows Form 990 filings that include EINs. State Secretary of State databases and GuideStar are also helpful when you need to find how to find a business EIN number.

3. Other Ways to Find a Business EIN

Sometimes the simplest approach works best. Ask the company's accounting or payroll department directly. If you're a current or former employee, check your W-2 (Box B). For example, large employers like Walmart include their EIN on every pay stub and W-2 they issue. Business credit reports from Equifax or Experian may also include EIN data.

State Employer ID Number Lookup (SEIN)

A State Employer Identification Number (SEIN) is different from your federal EIN. It's issued by your state's tax department for state tax reporting. Not every business needs one. It depends on your state's requirements. Visit your state's tax department website to look up or apply for a SEIN.

Don't confuse these two. An employer state ID number lookup is for your state taxes, while an EIN search is for federal. Some forms ask for both, so make sure you know which one you need.

When To Get a New EIN

Your EIN usually sticks with your business for life. But certain changes mean you need a new one:

• Changing your business structure (sole proprietorship to LLC or corporation)
• Buying or inheriting an existing business
• Becoming a subsidiary of another company
• A sole proprietor filing for bankruptcy
• Creating a new partnership

You don't need a new EIN if you change your business name, change your address, or if your corporation or partnership declares bankruptcy.

How To Cancel or Deactivate an EIN

You can't technically cancel an EIN. Once assigned, it's permanent. However, you can close your business tax account by writing to the IRS. Send a written request to the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. In your letter, include:

• Your EIN
• Legal business name
• Business address
• Reason for closing
• An authorized signature

It does not need to be complicated. A simple, clear letter is enough. Once the IRS processes it, your account closes, but the EIN number itself stays on record permanently. If you're wrapping up a business and need to generate final pay stubs for your records, a pay stub template can help you document everything properly before closing.

Glossary: EIN Terms in Plain English

• EIN: Your business's ID number from the IRS (9 digits, format: XX-XXXXXXX)
• SSN: Your personal Social Security number (different from an EIN)
• TIN: Tax Identification Number; umbrella term that covers both EINs and SSNs
• CP 575: The confirmation letter the IRS sends when they approve your EIN
• Form 147C: A replacement verification letter you can request if you lost your CP-575
• SEIN: Your state's version of an EIN, for state tax purposes
• EDGAR: The SEC's public database, where you can look up public company filings and EINs

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Conclusion

An EIN lookup doesn't have to be stressful. Start by checking your CP-575 confirmation letter or old tax returns. If those aren't available, the IRS Business Tax Line at (800) 829-4933 can help. For looking up another company's EIN, free tools like SEC EDGAR and the IRS Tax Exempt search have you covered.

Now that you know how to find your EIN, you might need it to create a professional pay stub. Our simple generator walks you through every step, no experience needed. Whether you're documenting income for a rental application or keeping records for tax season, PayStubs.net makes it easy.